Instead I believe JWST will be the last telescope with reflective optics we will launch. The new thing will most likely be based on diffraction based optics (Ar

Instead I believe JWST will be the last telescope with reflective optics we will launch. The new thing will most likely be based on diffraction based optics (Aragoscope). It is much easier to launch in space a disc of some light and bendy material of some lightweight material than a set of hyperdelicate and precise mirrors. According to the simulations performed in [1], an aragoscope of 1km would be able to directly image objects the size of Jupiter's moons (so basically exoplanets even on the small side) 23 light-years away. EDIT: Took the time to scavenge the numbers: JWST has 0.1 arcseconds angular resolution, a 100m aragoscope would have a 1 milli-arcsecond angular resoulution, a 1km aragoscope 0.1 milli-arcsecond which translates to be able to alpha centauri in a 70x70 pixels patch (and so see its sunspots) or as I mentioned above exoplanets on the smaller scale at 23 light years away (Europa is 1560 km in diameter). [1] https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/2014_phase_i_webster_cash_the_aragoscope.pdf https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/2014_ph...